Physically imposing and powerfully athletic compared to Northern Lebanon's guard-oriented bunch, Susquehanna Twp.'s front court had its way Tuesday night in a District 3-AAA boys' basketball Round of 16 contest at the Field House along Progress Ave.

Yanking down offensive rebounds and delivering put-back after put-back, the Indians surged to a 71-47 victory that advanced Vince Rogers' club into Friday's quarterfinals opposite two-time defending champion Berks Catholic. Tip-off is 6 p.m. at Garden Spot High School in New Holland.

Susquehanna Twp. (16-7) corralled half of its 54 rebounds on the offensive end, and stellar sophomore guard Nehemiah "Bud" Mack scored a team-high 20 points, unafraid to shoot from outside knowing his bigs had his back on the glass.

Sam Light, Northern Lebanon's all-time leading scorer, closed his sensational high school career with a team-high 20 points despite playing through an injured left (opposite) hand that severely limited his handle.

The Indians' starting front court of juniors Joe Marshall, Roman Letterlough and Quintin Ward combined for 36 points, 23 rebounds and seven blocks, and they were all over the glass during a 12-minute first-half stretch that turned a slight deficit into an overwhelming halftime lead.

PIVOTAL SEQUENCE

Light sank two free throws, and Isaac Ray added another midway through the first that had the Vikings (17-7) in front 10-8. But 'Hanna rattled off the next 11 points -- including a tip-in and a 3-pointer by Mack -- for a 19-10 edge.

The run didn't stop there.

After a Light bucket, Mack closed the first quarter with a another score before the Indians outscored the Vikings 19-6 in the second quarter. Reserve Jaquan Blair scored Susquehanna's last three field goals, including a put-back at the buzzer for a 40-18 advantage into the locker rooms.

Susquehanna Twp. maintained at least a 22-point edge throughout the entire second half.

STAT FRENZY

The rebounds were quite evenly distributed for the Indians, with nine players collecting at least three caroms each. Ward led with nine, followed by Marshall with eight, Letterlough with six, and five each from reserve guards Takhi Turner and Jordan Millberry. ... Northern Lebanon, which starts four guards along with 5-10 forward Christian Morales, certainly didn't cave in the physical mismatch. In fact, the Vikings managed to grab 16 offensive rebounds of their own. Leading them in rebounds was reserve forward Kyle Blackman (six) and guards Morales (five), Daymon Long (five) and Richard Iwuagwu (five). ...

Susquehanna Twp. took advantage of its extra opportunities to hoist 71 shots (making 31 for 43.7 percent shooting) but was just 3-for-18 from the arc (all three from Mack). The Vikings finished 31 percent from the floor (18-for-58), including 7-for-22 from deep. But four of those treys came in the fourth quarter with the result no longer in doubt. ... The Vikings turned it over 18 times, with 10 of those by Light, who, again, struggled with a left hand injury suffered in Monday's practice and reaggravated early in the second quarter. His coach, Gary Bouchette, suggested it might even be broken, though the area's leading scorer hadn't yet had it officially checked out for fear of being told he would be forced to miss what turned into his final game. Susquehanna Twp. turned it over 10 times. ...

Millberry and Gabe Mack had five assists each for lead Susquehanna Twp., with Bud Mack compiling four steals and Ward six blocks. ... Ray led the Vikings with four assists, Blackman finished with three blocks, and Iwuagwu totaled three assists and two steals.

More from this game, including some video highlights and quotes from both head coaches, coming in another post Tuesday night on PennLive.